“But you shall speak My words to them whether they listen or not, for they are rebellious.”

Today’s devotion comes from Ezekiel chapter 2.

“Then He said to me, “Son of man, stand on your feet that I may speak with you!” As He spoke to me the Spirit entered me and set me on my feet; and I heard Him speaking to me.Then He said to me, “Son of man, I am sending you to the sons of Israel, to a rebellious people who have rebelled against Me; they and their fathers have transgressed against Me to this very day.I am sending you to them who are stubborn and obstinate children, and you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God.’As for them, whether they listen or not—for they are a rebellious house—they will know that a prophet has been among them.And you, son of man, neither fear them nor fear their words, though thistles and thorns are with you and you sit on scorpions; neither fear their words nor be dismayed at their presence, for they are a rebellious house.But you shall speak My words to them whether they listen or not, for they are rebellious.

“Now you, son of man, listen to what I am speaking to you; do not be rebellious like that rebellious house. Open your mouth and eat what I am giving you.”Then I looked, and behold, a hand was extended to me; and lo, a scroll was in it.When He spread it out before me, it was written on the front and back, and written on it were lamentations, mourning and woe.” Ezekiel chapter 2.

———————

Our calling is to preach and teach God’s Word. We should not be surprised if those who hear God’s Word from us do not respond as we may like. Our success is not based on their response, but rather our success (or lack of it) is based on whether we faithfully preach and teach as we are called.

Other doctrine changes its preaching and teaching to draw the most people.

Reformed Doctrine recognizes that man’s natural condition is “Total Depravity”, that is, man is dead in sin, hostile to God, and enslaved to sin and Satan. In one word, Reformed Doctrine recognizes that man is naturally “rebellious” as stated in today’s Scripture, and so, Reformed Doctrine is not surprised when few listen to God’s Word. But, through God’s grace, Reformed Doctrine faithfully preaches and teaches God’s Word and summarizes it in sound doctrine as it is called to do in the following Scripture.

“I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires,and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” 2 Timothy 4:1-5.